In checking
out the LA Latino club circuit, we decided to interview none
other than some of LA's best DJs on the scene who play house
music: Real house music - with vocals and divas - the stuff the
QV scene made famous all over the US. These DJs had some interesting
things to say:

What do you think about
the music that the Latino QV scene in LA dances to nowadays?

Ernie Pearl

Circus & Arena

It's getting a lot better. It's less dubby
and more vocal. I guess vocals are kind of "in" right
now. I think right now people want a variety of sound - the music
has a lot of different styles. We have a lot more to choose from.

Dax

Club Forbidden

I think LA has a lot of potential. I like
to play good music for people - stuff that is new and innovative
- and I expect clubgoers to respect my choice in music. I don't
spin stuff I wouldn't dance to unless I'm very, very, very, drunk.

DJ RPM

Club Forbidden, Odyssey

It's safe. They like to hear what they are
familiar with. Stuff that they listen to on Groove Radio, or
DJ Enrie's "Power Workout." There is a lot of good
music - they just need to be open to it, not wait four months
until they dance to a song.

DJ Salvador

Arena

House music certainly has a deep Latin influence
and they (Latinos), of course, love their pop-Latino, Spanish
rock, cumbias, merengue and touch of salsa for spice.

Do you think the Latino
QV community is ready for new and cutting-edge dance music?

I think it depends
on your venue and what crowds you cater to. Circus is more commercial
and you get a larger perspective on the various tastes.

As a DJ in this huge city, I
actually expect more out of the QV scene. It's very funny when
I'm at a club and people run to the dance floor when they hear
tracks like "Da Funk Phenomenon" - it's so old. Those
people need to record the track and play it at home till they
get tired of it.

Yeah, I think they are ready
- it's just that they need to be more open to it. QV clubs have
better music and are more cutting edge in general. We need to
always be open to new music whether we have heard it before or
are just experiencing it (for the first time).

Of course it is, as long as
the DJs are willing to take it there. We have that option and
should not be afraid to exercise it.

What other clubs beside
the ones you work at would you recommend for good house music?

I guess Tempo, Robbie's and Club Forbidden
on Sundays. I would like to mention SF clubs, but I don't think
too many Angelenos go up there.

QV: Go ahead.

EP: I would recommend Club Papi's in San Jose.

Definitely DYMK, Catch One in
LA, Generator in Chicago, Twilo, Cafe con Leche and the Tunnel
in NYC, Liquid Salvation and Kremlin in Miami, Universe and Fag
Fridays in San Francisco. I hear Anthem is also da shit.

The Temple was one of my favorite places when
it was around and Pump. DYMK for afterhours. Cafe Con Leche &
Factoria 21 (@SFB) in NY.

QV: Would you recommend Circus and Arena?

RPM: Yeah, but everybody already knows about
those spaces. I like Arena on Saturdays - it's one of my favorite
spaces in LA.

I would have to recommend Circus
on Fridays in LA, Anthem on Thursday in San Francisco, and Fag
Friday on Fridays in San Francisco.